LESSON 1: The Importance of Research in Daily Life

I. What to Know
Research is significant in our everyday activities. It is the result of a thinking process that involves students in
questioning techniques or models. In order for students to have a grasp of the techniques/models of inquiry,
you have to discuss with them the processes involved in inquiry and research. Discuss the concepts in the box
regarding inquiry-based learning.

According to Drayton & Falk (2001), the following are the characteristics of classrooms where teachers
emphasized inquiry-based learning:
Inquiry is in the form of authentic (real-life) problems within the context of the curriculum and/or community.
The inquiry capitalizes on student curiosity.
Data and information are actively used, interpreted, refined, digested and discussed.
Teachers, students and teacher-librarian collaborate.
Community and society are connected with the inquiry.
The teacher models the behaviors of inquirer.
The teacher uses the language of inquiry on an ongoing basis.
Students take ownership of their learning.
The teacher facilitates the process of gathering and presenting information.
The teacher and students use technology to advance inquiry.
The teacher embraces inquiry as both content and pedagogy.
The teacher and students interact more frequently and more actively than during traditional teaching.
There is an identifiable time for inquiry-based learning.
Source: Focus on Inquiry: A Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Inquiry-based Learning.

Source: Focus on Inquiry: A Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Inquiry-based Learning.

Research is important when we know how to make sense of it. With this, we need to check the learner‘s prior
knowledge of how research is used in daily life. Assessing these will facilitate teaching and students’
understanding of the importance of research in daily life. Tell the students that as they go through this lesson,
they have to think of this important question: How does inquiry and research facilitate in finding solutions to
real-life problems and develop critical thinking skills and lifelong learning?
To strengthen the learners’ knowledge of the importance of research in daily life, ask them to create an
integrative paper on the use of research in their daily life. Let the students share their experiences on the
importance of research. Tell them to relate their experiences and decision making to the results of published
researches and for the effect of such researches to the decisions they do every day.

II. What to Process

In this section, help the students appreciate the importance of research in daily life. Tell them to compose an
essay regarding the use of research in their daily life as a student. This is an important skill that should be
developed in every student. This is necessary in order for them to realize the value of research.
III. What to Reflect on and Further Understand

Administer a formative test to determine the mastery of the students in this lesson (see Assessment Map). Tell
them to identify situations in daily life that research is of great importance. Let them explain how to use results
of researches in good decision-making.
Formative Assessment 1.1
Examining research studies
Ask the students to read sample research then ask them to write a reflection paper about the importance of
research in our daily life. Provide the students the following guide questions in writing their reflection.
What appears to be the main objective of the research?
Does the research have conclusion and recommendation?
Why is the research conducted?
How does the research study help you in your daily life?

IV. What to Transfer

Give the students opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of the importance of research in daily life
by conducting a survey/interview of 20 students asking them the importance of research in their daily life. This
can be done through a collaborative work. In addition, ask them to look for examples of research in different
areas of interest (arts, humanities, sports, science, information and communication technology and social
inquiry) then ask them to present the importance of the research they have found in their daily activities.

V. Summary/Synthesis/Generalization
The lesson underscores the importance of research in daily life. The values of appreciation and camaraderie
are developed among the students through collaborative work. Students are able to share their ideas and listen
to the ideas of others. Also, the lesson provided students with opportunities to determine the importance of
research in their daily life. It also strengthened their decision-making using the results of researches. Moreover,
this lesson developed the analytical and critical thinking skills of the students and encouraged them to discuss
importance of research in their daily life as students

References
Focus on Research: A Guide to Developing Students’ Research Skills. Edmonton, Alberta: Alberta Education,
1990. http://www.library.ualberta.ca/documents/focusonresearch.pdf.
Donham, Jean, Kay Bishop, Carol Collier Kuhlthau, and Dianne Oberg. Inquiry-based Learning: Lessons
from Library Power. Worthington, OH: Linworth, 2001.
Focus on Inquiry: A Teacher’s Guide to Implementing Inquiry-based Learning. Ebook. Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada: Alberta Learning, Learning and Teaching Resources Branch, 2004. http://www.teaching
books.net/content/FocusOnInquiry.pdf.
Jonassen, David H. Computers as Mind tools for Schools: Engaging Critical Thinking. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2000.